Houston named one of the best U.S. cities for pizza

Updated 10:49 am, Thursday, February 28, 2013

Carrabba's new building features a wood-burning pizza oven and 10-seat pizza bar.

Carrabba's new building features a wood-burning pizza oven and 10-seat pizza bar.

Photo: Eric Kayne

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The pizza pie has had its own Italian renaissance in Houstonof late, with new
concepts opening and familiar names adding new locations and new ovens. Check out these delicious pies from around the area.

The pizza pie has had its own Italian renaissance in Houstonof late, with new
concepts opening and familiar names adding new locations and new ovens. Check out these delicious pies from around the area.

Houston has a lot of great pizza places, and the nation is taking notice. The Bayou City has been named to Travel + Leisure's roundup of America's Best Cities for Pizza.

"In many ways Houston walks the line between uptown and down-home," the article states. Highlights include Coppa, with its thin crust and signature cured pork, and the Pi Pizza food truck, which offers more unusual fare.

Houston's not the only Texas city on the list – we were actually beaten out by San Antonio at No. 13, praised for being family-friendly and affordable.

Among the San Antonio highlights – Dough Pizzeria Napoletana, which features a homemade mozzarella and Burrata bar, and Big Lou's Pizza with its brisket topping.

And at No. 15 is Austin, chosen for its gourmet options at House Pizzeria and New York-style Home Slice.

New York is known for its pizza, but No. 1 on the list is Chicago. "Finding even passable Chicago-style pizza outside of Chicago – that still poses a challenge," food writer Jeff Turrentine told Travel + Leisure.

New York, coming in third, was also beaten out by Providence, R.I., thanks to that city's unique grilled pizza.